Rawlings-Blake press secretary moves to Fire Department

Luke BroadwaterThe Baltimore Sun

Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake's press secretary is leaving the mayor's office to become the spokesman for the city's fire department.

Ian Brennan, who also served as a spokesman for former Mayor Sheila Dixon, will replace Kevin Cartwright, who retired earlier this year, as the department's Public Information Officer. He will earn $92,000 annually.

“I am excited that Mr. Brennan is joining our team,” Fire Chief James Clack said in a statement. “His public communications experience will be an asset as we work to further reduce fire deaths and improve public safety throughout Baltimore.”

A passionate defender of Rawlings-Blake's policies, Brennan, 38, also served in the administrations of three New Jersey Governors, James E. McGreevey, Richard J. Codey and John S. Corzine. He also worked for Maryland Lt. Governor Kathleen Kennedy Townsend.

“It is an honor to join Chief Clack and his team as they work to make Baltimore a safer city,” Brennan said in a statement. “This is also a great opportunity to advance Mayor Rawlings-Blake’s vision of growing the city by 10,000 families within the decade.”